Got it last night. Been playin a little today. This game has alot of wootage. It's a shooter with a black comedy, excessive cartoon violence and blood, and gore. And the dialog is pretty much along the same. Definitely a change from the military shooters we've been bombed with lately. I just started it, so I can't say much. Would say definitely at least worth a rental, if not owning. This one is going to make a mark in 2011.

Bulletstorm is the new over the top first person shooter from Epic Games (makers of Gears of War and Unreal Tournament) and "People Can Fly". The Epic Edition of Bulletstorm also includes an invitation to the Gears of War 3 Beta. "Kill with Skill" is the tag-line, your earn skillpoints by killing enemies in the most creative and over the top ways possible. Kick your enemies into a trash compacter, fling them into the air with your energy leash or shoot them in the crotch then bash their head in and earn the "mercy" skillshot. It's an adrenaline filled rollercoaster ride from beginning to end and should not be missed by anyone who enjoys shooters.

Meet General Sarrano the games antagonist. This guy is an incredibly annoying A-hole as well as a horrible human being. Years ago he ordered Grayson Hunt (you) and his team to kill targets who Grayson later finds out are totally innocent. Sarrano was just suppressing the truth and covering his own ass. Years later, when a random opportunity arises to take out the general and his prized ship, a drunken Grayson attacks the generals massive ship head on. He sets his ship on a suicide run when all other options are exhausted, Grayson and Sarrano both crash-land on the planet Stygia and your quest begins. Its also might be worth noting that Grayson's voice over was done by Steven Blum, the same voice actor that did Tank Dempsey from cod's zombie mode, Spike Speigel of the anime Cowboy Bebop and Wolverine from the X-men cartoon that ran in the early 90s.

To compliment the insanely over the top action, the dialog is equally gruesome and obscene. Expect many four letter words and insults about your mother. Heck, the demo ended with the line "This game ain't gonna pre-order itself D#cktits!". This macho dialog is hilariously in your face and not to be taken seriously. The game definitely has a sense of humor about itself.

This is a very points based game. You gain points by killing enemies in unique and breathtaking ways, the better the kill the more points you accumulate. Many different skill shots can be had by using the environment to your advantage. Are there explosive barrels around? Shoot one near an enemy or kick one towards an enemy far away. See anything pointy, electrified or hazardous? Send your enemy into it and watch the points rack up. Or give a mutant a hot lead enema for the "fire in the hole" skillshot. Every weapon in the game has its own unique skillshots too. From the standard peacemaker carbine to the bouncer grenade launcher you are very well equipped. Stick an enemy to the ground with the drill gun to get the breakdance skillshot. Use the four barreled shotgun to juggle an enemy in the air. Each weapon also has an alternate fire mode. Use the flail gun alternate fire mode to cut enemies in half, or the sniper rifles alternate mode to fire explosive guided rounds. The points you earn are then used to buy weapon upgrades and more ammunition.

The path you take in the game is very linear but its one hell of a ride. You will encounter many different types of mutants, mini bosses and gigantic monstrosities. As well as huge set pieces and fantastic views. The games beautiful stylized art style is another one of its strengths. Think Borderlands crossed with Gears of War and you start to get an idea. The set pieces I mentioned come in many forms, one worth mentioning is controlling a giant mechanized monster in an amusement park, just after a battle in a miniature replica city. Look Out! Godzeera!

Bulletstorm has a few bugs, had to restart at a checkpoint twice. Once I fell through the ground into the endless abyss and another time a enemy got stuck in a place where I couldn't shoot him. And I noticed a few graphical anomalies. Gameplay can get a little repetitive if you start to rely on just certain skill shots (I tend to go for environmental hazards a bit too much) but there are plenty of killing methods to choose from.

Once you finish the campaign (which is 6 or 7 hours long) there is Echo Mode and Anarchy Mode waiting for you. Echo Mode is basically the best parts of the campaign with leaderboards. Try to beat your friends high scores and have furn tearing through the hordes of enemies. Anarchy Mode is the games co-op multiplayer mode. Pull off special team skillshots with your friends or with random gamers found through matchmaking. Each round throws different AI enemies at you and your goal is to get enough points to proceed to the next round. If you don't get enough points you must restart the wave. Sometimes a certain enemy will have a special team skill shot written above his head, pull off this move with a teammate for massive points. As you progress through rounds you will earn experience to unlock special helmets, clothes, victory poses and weapon skins. Anarchy Mode is fun with four people, but I had the most fun when its just myself and one friend. Its less chaotic and there are plenty of enemies for each of you. Also most people dont seem to understand that this mode is point based and not kill based yet. At the beginning of every round you have the option to upgrade your weapons or character traits, as well as refill your ammo. Upgrade your movement speed, energy leash or make a super powerful shotgun, the choice is yours.

I had a blast playing this game and I will continue to do so for many months to come. Has plenty of replay value in my opinion. Do yourself a favor, try the demo, then buy this game. 9 out of 10

Last edited by EndlessDream on Thu Mar 03, 2011 2:30 am; edited 1 time in total